Tbilisi City Court has remanded Gulbaat Rtskhiladze and Irakli Chikhladze in custody pending trial on espionage charges.
Judge Lela Maridashvili ordered Rtskhiladze’s pre-trial detention on June 1. The hearing was held behind closed doors.
Rtskhiladze was arrested by the State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) on May 30 and charged under Article 314, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which relates to espionage. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison.
The SSG alleges that Rtskhiladze maintained ties with the special services of two foreign countries and conducted intelligence activities on their behalf. The agency has not disclosed which countries are involved.
In a separate hearing on June 1, Judge Eka Barbakadze ordered the pre-trial detention of Irakli Chikhladze. The session was also held behind closed doors.
Like Rtskhiladze, Chikhladze was arrested on May 30 and charged under Article 314, Part 1 of the Criminal Code. He also faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
The prosecution alleges that Chikhladze managed an intelligence network, coordinated its activities, and ensured the collection and transfer of information in line with instructions from a foreign country’s special services.
Both defendants deny the charges.
Related story:
SSG arrests Gulbaat Rtskhiladze, Irakli Chikhladze on espionage charges: what we know
